Hi reader, it’s Taylor. I started at Ashland Source on Aug. 11 after graduating from Ohio University in May — go Bobcats!
Since then, I have published 181 stories and taken thousands of photos. I covered dozens of school board meetings and Loudonville council meetings, attended ribbon-cuttings, photographed staple events and even went up in a hot air balloon.
Although I don’t have a full year of stories to choose from like my colleague Dillon Carr, I still have a solid selection of impactful and fun stories that I had the privilege to write.
Before I present to you my top 10, I want to say thank you, Ashland, for letting me tell your stories and welcoming me as one of your own. It is an honor I don’t take lightly.
In my four and-a-half months, I have loved getting to know the people who make Ashland County the world headquarters of nice people.
Without further ado, my top 10 stories of 2025: a mix of my favorite stories to write, and the ones you read the most.
10. Fatal deer virus spreads to Ashland County
Ashland County cares about their deer population, as do Richland and Knox counties. I wrote three stories about epizootic hemorrhagic disease, or EHD, which were published across all three of our websites.
The common disease impacts deer each year, but 2025 showed a record number of cases spread across Ohio. New cases ceased after the first hard freeze, but we will be watching cases closely again next year.
9. Gov. Mike DeWine cuts ribbon on new visitor center at Mohican State Park
The long-awaited visitor center was officially opened to the public in mid August, featuring interactive displays that tell the history of the park, a gift shop and bathrooms. This story makes my list because it was the first story I wrote, disregarding my introduction column.
My first day was onboarding tasks and my second day I interviewed the governor; that’s a perfect snapshot of the versatility of local journalism.
8. Ashland County celebrates America’s 250th birthday early with Johnny Appleseed barn mural
The America 250-Ohio Commission has launched several initiatives leading up to America’s 250th birthday to celebrate Ohio’s contributions to U.S. history, including commissioning barn murals across the state.
Appleseed lived in the Perrysville area for 30 years, so Cleo Redd Fisher Museum curator Kenny Libben fought for Appleseed to be the face on north central Ohio’s mural.
7. How Foundations Community Childcare came to be
Foundations Community Childcare opened over a year and-a-half-ago, now providing services to 118 kids and play time on a brand new playground. This story was part of our child care series where we shine light on the people and places trying to address the accessibility and affordability of child care.
My story dove into the process behind how one nonprofit raised nearly $5 million to form a nonprofit child care center and how it operates to specifically meet Ashland County needs.
6. Discount Drug Mart closed due to rodent infestation, reopened three days later
Not only did this story receive lots of readers and shares, but it was also my first breaking news story where I was on the scene reporting it hours before anyone else did. Why was that the case? Because I was at the board of health meeting when it happened.
The store was cleared to reopen a few days later and follow-up inspections have yielded sanitary conditions, according to health department officials.
5. Social media strangers rally to help a woman find her lost parrot
Louie the sun conure parrot has been missing since June. His owner, Debbie Dingus, did everything she could to find him, including posting about her quest to find him in The Ashland Chatter Facebook group.
Her posts received hundreds of likes, comments and shares which resulted in people joining her search parties to find Louie, sending her missing parrot posts from as far as Maryland and even making gifts for Dingus, such as a painting of the bird.
Louie is still missing, but Dingus has never forgotten the kindness people showed her.
4. Mansfield woman wins $700,000 in City Grille’s Queen of Hearts drawing
This story did not take place in Ashland, but Ashland readers were interested nonetheless. Brandy Loveland had been playing in City Grille’s Queen of Hearts drawing since it started almost a year ago.
The game went on every week until there were three cards left and a pot of nearly $700,000, which Loveland and her husband took home. The next game will begin March 1 with a starting pot of $259,670, which is sure to draw in another large crowd for weeks.
3. Auer family starts food pantry in response to SNAP benefits pause
Megan and Chad Auer could not help but step into action when they learned about the Ashland residents who would be impacted by the SNAP benefit pause amid the government shutdown.
It started with free meals and posting about local resources, but she knew she wanted to do more, so she opened The Sharing Shed: a 24/7 access food pantry stocked by Ashland residents, for Ashland residents. Even though SNAP benefits are no longer on pause, the Auers plan to keep it open so long as people continue to have a need for it.
Megan Auer opened and maintains the shed, but she credits the community members who help keep it stocked for its success.
2. Prison opossums: How Richland Correctional Institution is rehabilitating animals and incarcerated persons
I never thought I would step foot inside of a prison; I was wrong, but now I have the perfect option for two truths and a lie. This is my favorite story I have written so far because the program is so unique and beneficial to all involved.
The article focuses on the three men involved in the one-of-a-kind program and how it has boosted their mental health. The men’s involvement has helped the Ohio Wildlife Center by being full-time volunteers.
There are lots of prison-animal programs, but most involve dogs. No other state features a program that involves raising infant wild animals to be rereleased into the wild.
1. White Family dominates Ashland County Fair sale of large animal champions, breaks record
Ashland shows up for the 4H and FFA kids who show animals at the Ashland County Fair, and the White family’s champion animals were no exception. The White family sold grand champions and reserve grand champions in every large animal category except baby beef.
Bria White’s grand champion market lamb sold for $160 per pound, almost doubling the existing record of $86 per pound, totaling $23,840.
I watched each of the White kids step up to show their animals, some grinning ear to ear, others with tears in their eyes. I felt the excitement and shock with each sale.
It was the first fair I have covered, and the emotions and excitement took me by surprise; I had a lot of fun weaving those feelings into the story. It was obvious to me that the fair is central to Ashland’s culture, and that is why it takes the number one spot.
My four and-a-half months in Ashland has also yielded some great photos; below are a few of my favorites:
